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Referendum held in Republika Srpska

More than 90% have voted in favor of approving the date of the Serbian national holiday.

Confederation problems

Earlier, the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina declared that holding the referendum was inadmissible. Moreover, the Constitutional Court of Sarajevo ruled that the holiday on January 9th would be prohibited because it coincides with the date of an Orthodox holiday celebrated by the Serbian Church and, for some reason, would discriminate against Bosnian Muslims.

The EU and Bosnia’s strong opposition to the referendum was due to the fact that the authorities of these countries believed that the initiative would become a kind of test of strength showing that Republika Srpska is fully entitled to its rights under international agreements.

Legal System and Identity

President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, confirmed that following referenda would open up more opportunities for Serbs, particularly in the judiciary system.

Previously, he stressed that the holding of the plebiscite was not a rehearsal for separation from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Advisor to the President of Croatia, Mate Granic, who was a mediator in Dayton, said that the referendum is important for the local elections due to its strengthening of the position of Republika Srpska within Bosnia and Herzegovina.

But Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić, who is a puppet of the West, stated that Serbia is responsible to Bosnia and Herzegovina under the Dayton Accords. However, on the occasion of the referendum in Republika Srpska, Belgrade was given a salute.